3-Day Putao Soft Adventure

Tour type

tour highlights

Explore Putao, Myanmar's far northest territory close to the high mountains of the Himalaya

Village walks

Excursion along upper Malikha River and fairy island

tour details

Putao, a small frontier town, far north in Kachin State sharing border with China, Tibet and India. Situate 1499ft, 457 metres above sea, lies in a flat valley, a jumping-off point for trekkers who want to explore the region’s deep forests, wildlife sanctuaries and snow-capped mountains. The richness in biodiversity of this region presents unparalleled opportunities in the field of tribal, zoology, botany, forestry, ecology as well as hardy eco-tourists who prefer the challenge of a testing back-packing trip in the mountain fastness of Myanmar.

As soon as you arrive at the Putao airport, your guide will greet and transfer you to Hotel Putao for hotel check-in. Then, enjoy your lunch at the hotel. After lunch, drive to Mulashidi village, a village locates in thatch field on the river bank of Mula (Nam Lang in local), has been existing over 60 years since missionary found it. Enjoy the scenery from the Mula suspension bridge which span over crystal clear icy cold river. After that, back to Putao.Dinner and overnight at Hotel Putao (Superior Room), Putao

After having breakfast at the hotel, drive the distance of 9 miles to Kaungmulon Pagoda, said to be one of 8400 Pagodas built by King Asoka of Sri Linka. And then, continue to Namkam, a huge Rawang village, situates at the bottom of Namhti mountain range which in rich with biodiversity of flora and fauna. Namkam, also called 'Golden River', has become the centre of cultivation place for the fruits that Father Robert Moss has introduced thus to day famous for its sweet fruits production. And then, drive back to hotel for lunch. After lunch, visit to Machanbaw, the first administrative town with beautifully set up by colonial style buildings and visit to "Stone Dragon" which is a rock formation like Asia dragon. Keep pedaling on the straight road at the middle of thatch field of Putao valley surrounded by blue rich mountains and snow-capped mountain. Continue to Naung Khine village where start boat trip to Natkyun (Fairy Island) for cruising down about 30 minutes to very beautiful natural site. After enjoying the gorgeous scenery of the wonderful nature, you will cruise up to Naung Khaing village, from which you will drive back for one hour to Putao. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Putao (Superior Room), Putao

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, visit to local vegetable market of Putao to explore the local products and to buy some souvenirs. After that, ride to Mahamuni Pagoda Image and visit local Shan villages. Then back to hotel and lunch at hotel. After having lunch, in the afternoon transfer to airport for your onward departure flight to conclude this unique experience.

includes

Our tour prices are included of:

Ground transport (coach, jeep, truck)

Accommodation (lodge)

Escorted English-speaking throughout guide from Yangon & Porter

Full board meal, safe drinking water (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner)

Travel Permit

excludes

Not included are:

Domestic airfare to/from Putao

Personal insurance

Expenditure on personal nature such as laundry, beverages, gratitude to guides & porters

notes

Group size maximum 10 persons

Important Notes:

Baggage: As general rule when packing for wilderness expeditions keep personal gear to a minimum. Please avoid large framed suitcase as they can be rather cumbersome to porters but use a medium size duffle bag instead. The weight limit on domestic airlines is 20 Kg and only 2 check-in bags and one carry-on bag are allowed. Excess baggage will be charged at up to US$ 3 per Kg. Your day pack should be a medium volume without a frame which can hold your personal belonging such as medication, camera, extra clothes, water etc.

Clothing & Foot ware: Should be lightweight, dry quickly, and provide insulation. A thick sweater or fleece sweat shirt will be essential for the evenings when temperatures decline considerably. For longer treks and higher altitude treks waterproof pants, gaiters and gloves are highly recommended. Lightweight hiking boots or good quality running shoes are must for the lowland trek. For Rafting you will need wetsuits during the coldest months (i.e. Dec, Jan and Feb) to protect against the cold and potential heat loss. A set of good quality splash pants and jacket are ideal as they will keep you warm and dry. If you are not too concerned about wet and cold then Patagonia Baggies or guide shorts will be the best all-around river wear, as they are durable, dry quickly.

Personal items: Such as flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries, water bottle, lighter, pocketknife, reading and writing material and personal first aid kit would be essential for your convenience.

Protection against insect bite: Most part the jungle is free from biting insects, but we do encounter them in the low land such as sand flies around the river banks and leaches in the lowland bushes. It's important to use insect repellent to keep the insects away.

Personal Care: The same precautions as anywhere else. Drink bottled, boiled or treated water, avoid eating raw vegetables, and eat fruits that you can peel or cut yourself. It's important to use insect repellent to keep mosquitoes away. Use sunscreen literally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun.

What will be the temperature like? The season is between October and May, which is winter and best tourist season in Putao region. Mostly clear skies, warm during the day and cool evenings. Temperature steadily decreases between late December and early February. Average temperature would be between low 4/10 and high 22/30 degree Celsius but could drop steadily up to freezing up in the mountains.

How fit do I have to be? This program is graded as "Easy" and involves some long walk or strenuous trek ups and downs thus anyone who leads a moderately healthy lifestyle back home and is reasonably fit will be able to join in.

What about guides? We provide English language speaking escorted leader plus an assistance local guide, who will also be able to speak the local ethnic dialect. Upon advance request we will be able to arrange other language leader such as German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese at additional cost.

What about First aid? The trekking guides are qualified in wilderness first aid, and carry a basic medical first aid kit.

Is there any age or health limit to participate?This program is suitable to any one with normal health and fitness condition. However older clients or clients with pre-existing medical conditions may require a doctor’s letter confirming their fitness for the trip. During your trek you are under the direction of your trip leader and he/she has total authority to determine your suitability to participate.